Wolves 1 Arsenal 4 — match report

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy refused to be downhearted despite seeing his side slip to a 4-1 Barclays Premier League defeat to Arsenal at Molineux.

McCarthy saw his troops have the better of the opening of the game only for two own goals to hand the advantage to the Gunners.

Having rarely threatened, Arsenal went ahead in the 28th minute and there was a stroke of luck about their effort.

Cesc Fabregas swung in a corner from the left and the ball took a deflection off Ronald Zubar, under pressure from Eduardo, for an own goal.

The home side tried to regroup but were undone again seven minutes later by another own goal.

Eduardo was allowed plenty of space and raced forward only to see his chip deflected off skipper Jody Craddock.

They extended their lead in stoppage-time in the first half when Fabregas scored in front of the posts after a simple ball from Robin van Persie.

Andrey Arshavin got his reward in the 66th minute, latching onto Hennessey’s clearance from a corner by Fabregas, thumping the ball beyond the goalkeeper.

Craddock gained scant consolation for the home side at the right end this time when he powered home a header from substitute Matt Jarvis’ corner.

But McCarthy said: “Our season won’t be judged by games against Arsenal. We have Birmingham coming up and this is the type of game we have to win.

“Hull, West Ham and Portsmouth are the teams in and around us and matches with them will be important.

“We have been ticking along okay but were well beaten in the end. We were outstanding for 30 minutes and took Arsenal on but mistakes have cost us.

“But I know the crowd appreciate the hard work the team put in and the way they tried to play.

“Anyone who saw the scoreline of 3-0 at half time would have thought we’d have been mullered but that wasn’t the case.

He was left to rue the chances Wolves had to take the lead.

“When our set pieces go in we have to score off them – that’s the answer.

“When you get good deliveries get your head on them and score and give Arsenal a problem but we didn’t do that.”

McCarthy also paid tribute to Arsenal – who are the leading scorers in the Premier League this season.

He said: “They have been the best attacking side against us so far.”

The boss, who praised the performance of Richard Stearman preferred at left back to George Elokobi, was also pleased with the commitment of his players.

“They are fantastic, there is never any doubting of their workrate and their attitude,” he added.

Stronger

Arsene Wenger believes his free-scoring Arsenal side will only get stronger during the dark days of winter.

“I have had belief since the first day of the season.

“I hope to keep convincing the players they could have a interesting part to play in the championship.

“The most important thing is to play for each other and keep your belief. In this job there is never enough belief.

“I am sure we will give 90 minutes in every game – and the players respect that. We want to give our best in every game and that is what we are doing.”

Wenger is thrilled with his attacking options.

“Scoring 36 goals is a tremendous record you know,” he said.

“That is great credit to the team and the way we play.

“We could have scored more goals against Wolves but I am happy. To be 3-0 up at half-time away from home is something you dream about.

“It is an ideal position. Our technical superiority prevailed and we controlled the game.”